Ratchet-type lift jack unit and lift method for camper bodies and the like

ABSTRACT

A free-dropping, self-locking, ratchet-type lift jack unit is adapted for attachment to the sides or corners of a camper body or the like, and each unit has outer and inner telescoping leg sections with the relative axial movement of the leg sections being controlled by a releasable lock arranged to permit a freedropping movement of the inner leg section. The inner leg section is automatically locked against further movement at the end of its drop and upon the application of a load to the leg sections. Each unit is further characterized by a novel demountable handle assembly independent of the releasable lock for effecting relative axial movement between the leg sections. For raising the camper body a pair of the ratchet-type jack units mounted on the camper body will automatically extend and lock as the camper body is raised by similar or other lift means oppositely disposed from said pair of type lift jack units.

United States Patent Bargman, Jr.

1451 Sept. 5, 1972 [54] RATCHET-TYPE LIFT JACK UNIT AND LIFT METHOD FORCAMPER BODIES AND THE LIKE [72] Inventor: Dale L. Bargman, Jr.,Broomfield,

Colo.

[73] Assignee: Colorado Leisure Products, Inc.,

Broomfield, C010.

[22] Filed: March 29, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 129,035

[52]v US. Cl ..254/45, 214/515 [51] Int. Cl. ..B66f 7/26 [58] Field ofSearch....254/45, 86 R, 108; 280/150.5; 214/515; 248/356.5

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,507,476 4/1970 Bennett..254/45 2,970,810 2/1961 Zich ..254/86 R 2,135,080 11/1938 Johnston..254/108 1,121,417 12/1914 Tann ..254/108 Wu C l1! 1 s i iii 12/ 3 ilf'|| I4 I I Primary Examiner-Othell M. Simpson Attorney-Reilly & Lewis[57] ABSTRACT A free-dropping, self-locking, ratchet-type lift jack unitis adapted for attachment to the sides or corners of a camper body orthe like, and each unit has outer and inner telescoping leg sectionswith the relative axial movement of the leg sections being controlled bya releasable lock arranged to permit a free-dropping movement of theinner leg section. The inner leg section is automatically locked againstfurther movement at the end of its drop and upon the application of aload to the leg sections. Each unit is further characterized by a noveldemountable handle assembly independent of the releasable lock foreffecting relative axial movement between the leg sections. For raisingthe camper body a pair of the ratchet-type jack units mounted on thecamper body will automatically extend and lock as the camper body israised by similar or other liftmeans oppositely disposed from said pairof type lift jack units.

I I l I i/ a 1 1 i 111., il it! I |0 |4 RATCI-IET-TYPE LIFI JACK UNITAND LIFI METHOD FOR CAMPER BODIES AND THE LIKE This invention relates tonovel and improved ratchettype lift jack units and methods for loadingand unloading camper bodies and the like with the camper body beingsupported at all times during the raising and lowering thereof.

Lift apparatus for camper bodies has generally taken the form ofunidirectional jack units attached to the sides or corners withindependent successive actuation thereof. In my earlier filedapplication Ser. No. 42,312, filed June 1, 1970, entitled CROSS DRIVEFOR LIFT JACK APPARATUS there is described a cross drive assemblyproviding a simultaneous and coordinated movement of at least two liftjack units. The present invention is directed to the provision of novelratchettype lift jack units which are characterized by a freedroppinginner leg section which is automatically locked in place upon completionof the drop and wherein a pair of the lift jack units may be mounted onthe camper body to automatically lower and lock as the camper body israised at the opposite end and to afford a self-leveling feature makingit easier and more convenient for one man to be able to load and unloada camper body while it rests solidly on the ground.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a noveland improved ratchet-type lift jack assembly for camper bodies and thelike.

Another object of this invention is to provide novel and improved jackunits which are highly compact, relatively easy to install and operate,and do not interfere with the normal use of the camper, while at thesame time being capable of being carried on the camper during thetransport thereof.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a novelratchet-type jack unit having an improved positive locking lever for theinner leg section which permits free dropping thereof and an improveddemountable handle independent of the locking lever operativelyassociated with inner and outer telescoping leg sections to afford ahighly reliable lifting action.

In accordance with the present invention in a preferred form shown thereis provided a lift jack unit with outer and inner telescoping legsections and a movable locking lever having a dog which is positivelybut yieldably urged into one of a plurality of spaced notches in theinner leg section by a spring. The dog releases the inner leg sectionwhen it is suspended so that the inner leg section will freely drop andthe spring automatically urges the dog into a locking engagement withthe inner leg section at the end of the drop and when a load is appliedthereto. A demountable handle includes a yoke and a ratchet doginsertable into a selected of the notches. The yoke has internal pinswhich releasably insert into notches in a lower shoulder portion on theouter leg section to urge the outer leg section up relative to the innerleg section as the handle is forced down. In a preferred method ofraising a camper body a pair of jacks at the rear corners willautomatically drop and lock as the front end of the camper is raised bythe same type or other types of lift jack units.

Other objects, advantages and capabilities of the present invention willbecome more apparent as the description proceeds taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the mounting disposition andarrangement of a preferred form of ratchet-type lift jack unit on aconventional camper y;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the ratchet-type lift jack unit shownin FIG. 1 with the lock shown in a locked position in full lines and ina released position in dashed lines and with the inner leg section in anextended position and with the lift handle assembly removed;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the lift jack unitshown in FIG. 2 viewing the front end of the lock;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side elevation view of the lift jack unit withthe lift handle assembly in place and in a raised position;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the lift jack unit of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevation view partially in section of thelift jack unit with the lift handle assembly in a lowered position; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the forward end of the lift handleassembly.

Referring now to the drawing, in FIG. 1 there is shown a camper body Cof a generally rectangular configuration having four ratchet-type liftjack units each designated 10 with each lift jack unit being fixedlysecured to one of the four vertical corners of the camper body by meansof a corner bracket 12 mounted directly on the camper body and upper andlower C- clamps 13 and 14 and, for example, the bracket assembly is ofthe type described in more detail in my copending application Ser. No.42,312 entitled CROSS DRIVE FOR LIFT JACK APPARATUS.

Each ratchet-type lift jack unit 10 in general comprises outer and innertelescoping leg sections designated 25 and 26, respectively, with theinner leg section 26 slidable axially within the outer leg section 25for selective raising and lowering of the camper body. The outer legsection 25 has an upper closure cap 24 on its upper end. The outer legsection is fastened to the corner of a camper by the bracket assembly asabove described, leaving the inner leg section to depend from the outerleg section. As best seen in FIG. 5, the leg sections 25 and 26 aregenerally tubular in shape and the outer leg section 25 is provided withfour circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending projections 25aalong the inside thereof which cooperate with four complementarycircumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending grooves 26b formed inthe external surface of the inner leg section for added strength and toprevent relative rotational movement between the inner and outer legsections. The outer leg section has a slot 27 adjacent the lower endthereof which aligns with a series of spaced notches 28 formed in one ofthe longitudinally extending grooves 26a in said inner leg section. Theinner leg section 26 has a ground engaging foot 29 secured at the lowerend thereof and normal to the longitudinal axis thereof havingsufficient surface area to afford stability for the camper body whenelevated.

A generally C-type clamp 30 surrounds a lower end portion of the outerleg section just above slot 27 and has oppositely disposed clampingsections including a straight intermediate side section 300 and inwardlyinclined end sections 30b at one end and inwardly inclined end sections30c at the other end which terminate in spaced-apart apertured lugs 31and 32 extending radially outwardly from the outer leg section. Theclamp 30 is fixedly secured to the outer leg section at the lower end asby welding to form a lower shoulder on the outer leg section. The clamphas a pair of rearwardly and downwardly inclined slots 33 on oppositesides thereof, the upper ends of the slots providing bearing surfacesfor the removable lift handle assembly described hereinafter.

A significant feature of the present invention is believed to reside inthe manner in which the two telescoping members are locked and released,and to this end there is provided a generally L-shaped locking lever 36pivotally mounted on a pin 37 supported between the lugs 31 and 32 topivot in a vertical plane between a locking position shown in full inFIG. 2 and a released position shown in dashed lines in FIG. 2. Atension spring 38 urges the locking lever into the locking position. Thespring 38 includes a pair of spaced coiled portions 38a which fit overoutwardly projecting ends of the pin 37 on the outside of the lugs 31and 32, and an intermediate closure portion 38b joining the rear ends ofthe two coiled portions with closure portion 38b, bearing against theback of the locking lever. The spring terminates in a pair of U- shapedends 38c oppositely of the closure portion which fit down over the innerends of the lugs so that as the upper end of the lever is pushedinwardly toward the leg sections the spring is placed under tension.

The locking lever 36 has an inwardly extending locking dog 39 formed atits lower end which releasably extends through the slot 27 and into oneof the notches 28 to lock the leg sections against relative axialmovement. The locking lever tapers upwardly and is rounded at the upperend to form an actuating trigger 40 which is manually depressed inwardlyto manually move the locking lever to the released position. The lowerend of the lever 36 is defined by a locking dog 39 which has an inwardlyand downwardly inclined upper edge 39a and an oppositely disposed loweredge 39b. The upper inclined edge 39a engages the upper edge of a notch28 in the outer leg section when the foot of the lower leg section isnot in contact with the ground, and the lower horizontal edge 39bengages the lower edge of the notch 28 when a load is applied to the legsections to lock against relative axial movement therebetween.

The angle of inclination of edge 39a and the tension in the spring 38are selected so that the weight of the inner leg section moves the upperedge of the notch 28 against the inclined dog edge 39a and causes thelocking dog 39 to rotate about the pin 37 in a counterclockwisedirection as seen in FIG. 2. This action releases the inner leg sectionfor a free-falling or dropping movement when the inner leg section issuspended above the ground. Once the foot on the inner leg section comesinto contact with the ground the tension spring 38 forces the dog 39back into one of the notches 28 and the lower edge of the notch bearsagainst the lower edge 39b of the dog to prevent further relative axialmovement of the leg sections.

A safety catch 41 is pivotally mounted on a rivet 42 in a notch on oneside of the lock member slightly above the lugs, and the safety catchhas an inturned dog portion 43 movable to a position between the outerleg section and rivet 42 to prevent pivotal movement of the lockinglever 36 from the locking position. The catch 41 has a top tab 44 whichis bent over to extend laterally to one side to facilitate the manualpivoting of the safety catch between a locking and released position.

A demountable or releasable handle assembly 45 is provided to actuatethe telescoping leg sections for effecting relative axial movement whichin general includes a U-shaped yoke 46, an elongated handle section 47secured to the back of the yoke and inclined upwardly and outwardly atan angle from the back of the yoke and terminating in an outer grip 47a,together with a ratchet member 48 pivotally mounted in a dependingmanner from the yoke. The yoke 46 has a pair of spaced parallel sidelegs 46a and 46b and a closed end portion 460 joining the side legs andeach side leg is provided with an inturned pin 49 which releasablyinserts into the inclined slots 33 on the outer leg section, as bestseen in FIG. 4. The ratchet member 48 has a generally V-shaped crosssection with an upper forked section of spaced parallel side arms 48aand 48b provided with apertures into which pin members 51 are mountedand fixedly secured to pivotally mount. the ratchet member 41 on theyoke 46. A lower leg section 480 of the ratchet member forms acontinuation of the side arms and is contoured along one side to providea forwardly projecting dog 53.

The ratchet member is spring-biased on the yoke by a separate tensionspring 52 mounted on pin 51 on each side of the yoke. Each spring 52includes an inturned coil section 52a having a leg terminating in a hook52b at one end which loops under one arm section and another legterminates in a hook 52c at the opposite end hooked under the closureportion of the yoke. A stop pin 54 extends upwardly from side leg 46a tolimit the amount pivotal movement of the ratchet member.

The dog 53 releasably inserts into one of the notches 28 in the innerleg section and the ratchet member is contoured with a stepped portionincluding a horizontal edge portion 53a forming the underside of the dogand a vertical edge portion 53b at right angles to portion 53a. Verticaledge 53b bears against a portion of the inner leg section below thenotch 28 and as the handle is moved downwardly the pins 49 are urgedagainst the upper ends of the slots 33 to raise the outer leg sectionwhile at the same time tension is applied to the arms of spring 52.After a full downstroke, the handle is raised, pulling the dog from anotch, and the dog is inserted into the next succeeding upper notch withspring 52 urging it thereinto and the sequence is repeated to raise thecamper body to the desired height.

In a full sequence of operation for the ratchet-type lift jack unit itis assumed that at least one of the jack units has been mounted at acomer of a camper body which is equipped with either the same ordifferent lift means at the other corners or along the sides to elevatethe camper body. As a portion of the camper body is raised by the liftmeans the inner leg section of the ratchet-type unit 10 willautomatically drop and lock with the locking lever being pivoted to thereleased position under the weight of the inner leg section andautomatically swinging back to the lock position at the end of the dropof the inner leg section. In the event the jack unit is manually raisedby the ratchet-type jack unit the intumed pins 49 of the lift handleassembly are inserted into the inclined slots 33 and the ratchet dog isinserted into a notch 28 just below the lower end of the outer legsection with the handle in a raised position, as best seen in FIG. 4. Aforce is then applied to the outer end of the handle causing the steppededges 53a and 53b on the ratchet member to bear against the inner legsection and apply an upwardly directed force to the upper ends of slots33 to raise the outer leg section axially relative to the inner legsection. During the upward movement action the upper inclined edge ofthe locking lever is engaged by a side notch and is moved out of thenotch and slot as best seen in FIG. 6. As the handle is moved down thearms of spring 52 are brought closer together, placing them undertension. At the end of the downward stroke of the handle the lockinglever dog will automatically move back into a notch 28 to hold therelative positions of the outer and inner leg sections and the ratchetdog 53 may be withdrawn from its associated notch by raising the outerend of the handle, and once withdrawn the tension of spring 52 forcesthe ratchet dog into the next successive upper notch so that thedownward stroke may be repeated and the jack unit increased in length tomechanically raise the camper jack body.

To shorten the jack unit and lower the camper body the upper end of thelocking lever 36 is momentarily depressed and released, allowing theinner leg section to retract one notch at a time.

In one preferred method of raising the camper body, two of theratchet-type lift jack units are mounted at the two rear corners of thecamper body. The lifting and lowering comes entirely from the front ofthe camper body. This may be done by two additional ratchet-type liftjack units at the front or other forms of lift means such as, forexample, a pair of hydraulic lift jack units, one at each front cornerof the camper body as described fully in my copending application Ser.No. 135,705 filed Apr. 20, 1971, entitled HYDRAULIC LIFT JACK APPARATUS.As the camper body is rocked from side to side by the actuation of thefront lift jacks the rear ratchet-type lift units will automaticallylower and lock themselves as the load is applied.

Although the present invention has been described with a certain degreeof particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has beenmade by way of example and that changes in details of structure may bemade without departing from the spirit thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. In a lift jack assembly for raising and lowering a camper body or thelike, a ratchet-type jack unit comprising:

telescoping outer and inner leg sections, said inner leg section havinga series of spaced notches arranged longitudinally thereof,

locking means positively but releasably urged into engagement with saidinner leg section in a locking position, said locking means beingmovable to a released position under the weight of the inner leg sectionto allow for a free-dropping movement of said inner leg section, saidlocking means being biased to automatically return to locking engagementwith said inner leg section against further movement relative to saidouter leg section when a load is applied in a direction urging saidinner leg section upwardly with respect to said outer leg section and,

handle means having a yoke at one end adapted to extend around saidouter leg section, there being attachment means between said yoke andsaid outer leg section to pivotally attach the yoke to oppositelydisposed portions of the outer leg section and a ratchet supported onthe yoke terminating in a dog adapted to insert into a selected one ofsaid notches whereby a downward force applied to the handle urges saidouter leg section upwardly relative to the inner leg section, saidlocking means automatically locking said leg sections at the end of eachdownstroke of the handle.

2. In a lift jack assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidattachment means is in the form of a pair of oppositely disposed slotson said outer leg section and a pair of intumed aligned pins on saidyoke adapted to insert into said pair of slots.

3. In a lift jack assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said pair ofslots are formed in a C-type clamp secured to the lower end of the outerleg section, said slots being inclined upwardly toward said handle.

4. In a lift jack assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said clamphas a pair of outwardly projecting lugs and a cross pin through the lugsfor providing a pivotal support for the locking means above the lugs.

5. In a lift jack assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said handleis inclined on an upwardly directed angle form the back of the yoke.

6. In a lift jack assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said ratchetmember has a forked upper end pivotally connected to the side arms ofthe yoke, and bias means to urge the dog into each notch.

7. In a lift jack assembly for raising and lowering a camper body or thelike, a ratchet-type lift jack unit for at least one corner of thecamper body, said lift jack unit comprising:

outer and inner telescoping tubular leg sections, said outer leg sectionhaving a lower end portion with a slot and a pair of spaced projectionsextending outwardly from said outer leg section, said inner leg sectionhaving a series of vertically spaced notches aligned with the slot ofthe outer leg section,

a generally L-shaped positive locking lever pivotally mounted betweensaid lugs, said lever having an inturned dog in the lower end thereof,said dog being positively moved through said slot successively into eachnotches as the leg sections are moved axially relative to one another tolock in the outer and inner leg sections against relative axialmovement, said locking lever dog being inwardly and downwardly inclinedfor automatically releasing the inner leg section from the outer legsection for a free-dropping movement as the camper body is raised, saidlocking the lever being spring-biased to automatically move into thelocking position, and

a demountable lift handle assembly having a yoke at one end, one of thelower end portion of said outer leg section and said yoke having a pairof aligned pins and the other of said lower end portion and yoke havinga pair of opposed slots adapted to receive said pins to releasablyconnect said yoke to said outer leg section for pivotal movement aboutthe axis of said pins, a handle extending from the back of the yoke anda ratchet member depending from said yoke and terminating in a ratchetdog shaped to removably insert into the notches in the inner leg sectionand as the handle is moved in a downward stoke and an upward force isimparted to the outer leg section through the pins with the lockinglever dog entering the next notch in the inner leg section.

8. In a lift jack assembly in which a plurality of lift jack units areattached to a camper body for raising and lowering same, each said liftjack unit comprising telescoping outer and inner leg sections, each ofsaid telescoping outer sections including locking means positively butreleasably urged into locking engagement with its associated inner legsection, said locking means being movable to a released position underthe weight of the inner leg section to allow for a freedropping movementof said inner leg section, said locking means being biased toautomatically return to locking engagement with said inner leg sectionagainst further movement relative to said outer leg section when a loadis applied in a direction urging said inner leg section upwardly withrespect to said outer leg sectron,

a demountable handle actuated means supported for pivotal movement onsaid outer leg section, said handle actuated means including a yokeadapted to extend around said outer leg section, there being releasableattachment means on said yoke and said outer leg section to pivotallyattach the leg section.

1. In a lift jack assembly for raising and lowering a camper body or thelike, a ratchet-type jack unit comprising: telescoping outer and innerleg sections, said inner leg section having a series of spaced notchesarranged longitudinally thereof, locking means positively but releasablyurged into engagement with said inner leg section in a locking position,said locking means being movable to a released position under the weightof the inner leg section to allow for a free-dropping movement of saidinner leg section, said locking means being biased to automaticallyreturn to locking engagement with said inner leg section against furthermovement relative to said outer leg section when a load is applied in adirection urging said inner leg section upwardly with respect to saidouter leg section and, handle means having a yoke at one end adapted toextend around said outer leg section, there being attachment meansbetween said yoke and said outer leg section to pivotally attach theyoke to oppositely disposed portions of the outer leg section and aratchet supported on the yoke terminating in a dog adapted to insertinto a selected one of said notches whereby a downward force applied tothe handle urges said outer leg section upwardly relative to the innerleg section, said locking means automatically locking said leg sectionsat the end of each downstroke of the handle.
 2. In a lift jack assemblyas set forth in claim 1 wherein said attachment means is in the form ofa pair of oppositely disposed slots on said outer leg section and a pairof inturned aligned pins on said yoke adapted to insert into said pairof slots.
 3. In a lift jack assembly as set forth in claim 2 whereinsaid pair of slots are formed in a C-type clamp secured to the lower endof the outer leg section, said slots being inclined upwardly toward saidhandle.
 4. In a lift jack assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein saidclamp has a pair of outwardly projecting lugs and a cross pin throughthe lugs for providing a pivotal support for the locking means above thelugs.
 5. In a lift jack assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein saidhandle is inclined on an upwardly directed angle form the back of theyoke.
 6. In a lift jack assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidratchet member has a forked upper end pivotally connected to the sidearms of the yoke, and bias means to urge the dog into each notch.
 7. Ina lift jack assembly for raising and lowering a camper body or the like,a ratchet-type lift jack unit for at least one corner of the camperbody, said lift jack unit comprising: outer and inner telescopingtubular leg sections, said outer leg section having a lower end portionwith a slot and a pair of spaced projections extending outwardly fromsaid outer leg section, said inner leg section having a series ofvertically spaced notches aligned with the slot of the outer legsection, a generally L-shaped positive locking lever pivotally mountedbetween said lugs, said lever having an inturned dog in the lower endthereof, said dog being positively moved through said slot successivelyinto each notches as the leg sections are moved axially relative to oneanother to lock in the outer and inner leg sections against relativeaxial movement, said locking lever dog being inwardly and downwardlyinclined for automatically releasing the inner leg section from theouter leg section for a free-dropping movement as the camper body israised, said locking the lever being spring-biased to automatically moveinto the locking position, and a demountable lift handle assembly havinga yoke at one end, one of the lower end portion of said outer legsection and said yoke having a pair of aligned pins and the other ofsaid lower end portion and yoke having a pair of opposed slots adaptedto receive said pins to releasably connect said yoke to said outer legsection for pivotal movement about the axis of said pins, a handleextending from the back of the yoke and a ratchet member depending fromsaid yoke and terminating in a ratchet dog shaped to removably insertinto the notches in the inner leg section and as the handle is moved ina downward stoke and an upward force is imparted to the outer legsection through the pins with the locking lever dog entering the nextnotch in the inner leg section.
 8. In a lift jack assembly in which aplurality of lift jack units are attached to a camper body for raisingand lowering same, each said lift jack unit comprising telescoping outerand inner leg sections, each of said telescoping outer sectionsincluding locking means positively but releasably urged into lockingengagement with its associated inner leg section, said locking meansbeing movable to a released position under the weight of the inner legsection to allow for a free-dropping movement of said inner leg section,said locking means being biased to automatically return to lockingengagement with said inner leg section against further movement relativeto said outer leg section when a load is applied in a direction urgingsaid inner leg section upwardly with respect to said outer leg section,a demountable handle actuated means supported for pivotal movement onsaid outer leg section, said handle actuated means including a yokeadapted to extend around said outer leg section, there being releasableattachment means on said yoke and said outer leg section to pivotallyattach the yoke to oppositely disposed portions of the outer legsection.